By ROY WARD
NOBLE Park is one loss from finals elimination but the Bulls don’t fear the reaper. They plan to become him.
Bulls coach Mick Fogarty has set the challenge to the rest of the Eastern Football League division 1 competition to take his side down.
“We will play no-fear footy; anyone who takes us lightly better look out,” he said. “We are under no illusions, there is no second chance for us.
“We have to beat them all if we are going to feature late in the finals.”
The Bulls will play nemesis Balwyn in the elimination final on Sunday.
The two-time division 1 premiers are going for a third straight flag and despite finishing in fifth place have plenty going for them, including the potential return of captain and star midfielder Craig Anderson from a shoulder injury.
Star midfielder Ziggy Alwan also made a successful return in the Bulls’ final-round match against Vermont on Saturday.
Fogarty said Anderson had trained for the past three weeks and could run out with his side.
“He has just lacked a bit of strength in the shoulder so the physio has said no for the last match,” he said. “We are not sure if he will play but if he does it’s a bonus.
“He could still play in the midfield, I could run him in short five to seven-minute spells, then give him a rest.”
Despite the Bulls’ five-point loss to Vermont on Saturday, Fogarty said his side was showing signs of reaching top form on the eve of the finals.
Tyson Mitchem, Andrew McConnell, George Angelopoulos and Glenn Manson were named best players for the Bulls.
“We are also aware after yesterday just how close we are to the other sides in the top five,” he said.
“We will give ourselves every chance to give it a go.
“When it comes to this side, until the last siren goes we won’t give up, we won’t concede anything.”
The Bulls face Balwyn at Tormore Reserve, Boronia this Sunday at 2.10pm.
